SOUTHPORT’S health chief has called on people to stop taking part in a new drinking craze sweeping our town – ‘NekNomination’.

The game involves people posting a video of themselves on social media downing alcoholic drinks – often in public places while being as outrageous as possible –and then challenging another person to do the same, usually within 24 hours.

It has been linked to four deaths, two in Ireland and two in Britain.

The Visiter has seen footage on YouTube of people from Southport taking part in the worrying trend.

One video shows two men jumping into Hesketh Park lake and then downing a can of lager before nominating friends.

In another video a man is seen running through Marks and Spencer’s on Chapel Street in ladies underwear during the day.

In a third a man leaps from a bridge into the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Sefton’s health chief has now spoken of the dangers taking part in NekNominations and excessive drinking can have on people’s health.

Dr Janet Atherton, Director of Public Health, said: “It wouldn’t be prudent to discuss individual incidents which need to be investigated in the appropriate way.

“However generally speaking, it is very easy with peer pressure to get carried away with drinking games and this ‘game’ could have disastrous consequences for some. The consequences of drinking large volumes of alcohol in a short period of time are very dangerous.

“We would call on people not to participate in this ‘game’ and act responsibly keeping themselves safe and sticking to sensible drinking limits.”

Earlier this week two men are believed to have become the first British victims of NeKNomination when 29-year-old Stephen Brooks from Cardiff died after downing a pint of vodka and 20-year-old Isaac Richardson from South London died shortly after his NekNomination of downing a cocktail of wine, whiskey, vodka and lager.

Southport parents have taken to Facebook to voice their concern that younger teenagers could start copying the “game”. Katy Hands- Hibbert said: “If a grown adult needs to do this to make themselves fit in that’s quite sad in itself but ultimately their choice.

“What is irresponsible is doing it in such a public fashion so their youth or even worse other youth see it and think it’s good, it is out of line.”

Another Southport mum said: “I think it’s awful. We see in the news the deaths of young people yet it is still happening.

“My Facebook timeline had a 17-year- old completing the challenge and someone else I know, who shouldn’t really drink due to illness, but took up the challenge.

“If I was nominated I would refuse and I worry for the younger ones who will be encouraged to do it.”

But, some people think that it is just people having fun, with a small minority taking it too far.

Suzanne Flynn said: “There’s having a laugh and drinking one drink and there’s taking it to the extreme and mixing a lethal cocktail of drinks.

“I have seen many videos from friends in their 30s who have downed a pint of lager and done something a bit silly.

“People need to use their brains and not be stupid with it.”

“The consequences of drinking large volumes of alcohol in a short period of time are very dangerous. ” – Dr Janet Atherton, Director of Public Health, below.

Are you worried about the new drinking game? Have you taken part in a NekNomination? Give our reporter Rebeccaa call on 01704 398249 or email us at visiternews@southportvisiter.co.uk